Two Beautiful Underrated Islands in Greece (Kefalonia and Ithaca - Ionian Islands)
An escape to paradise, a pause on the hectic city life, a therapy of Vitamin D and good vibes from happy people does wonders for the soul. The underrated Greek islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca are close neighbours on the Ionian Sea. An absence of mass tourism allows for a much more authentic and genuine connection with the island and its people.
You have to yourself an abundance of idyllic turquoise beaches with its own magical world beneath the blue surface and countrysides lush full of olive trees and scampering goats. The geology of the mountainous islands offers truly spectacular hikes, while the history of the Pirates and the Venetians have left remnants in the form of castle ruins, old canons and windmills. If you are feeling adventurous, there are some old shipwrecks and vast sea caves to be discovered on a Scuba Diving experience.
The best way to explore these islands is with a rental scooter and a cheap ferry ticket will easily get you across from Kefalonia to Ithaca. However, be warned that the concept of time is not kept to very strictly. In fact, these islands are the antidote to the stresses of city life and there is no other place where time slows down more than here on the Ionian Islands.
KEFALONIA // Κεφαλονιά
The larger island of the two and famous for its film feature in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - set in Antisamos Beach, featuring Penelope Cruz and Nicolas Cage. Kefalonia Airport is where you will most likely arrive and there are many cheap flights to be scored through RyanAir with connections all around Europe. The nearest city is the Capital of the island called Argostoli, which is only a 10min drive away.
Argostoli is the central hub of the island and also a port. The city is situated by the harbour where you can often see the rare Caretta Caretta Turtles coming back from sea at sunset. Delicious and authentic Greek Restaurants are found almost everywhere in the city. This is also where you will find food markets and shops with olive inspired products, gorgeous jewellery and art made by local designers. The only ‘night life’ on the otherwise very quiet island is found here . The surrounding area of the city is spoilt with beaches and unique rock structures, making Argostoli a great place to call ‘base’ on this island.
Now to the geological wonder of the island - The Melissani Caves. After a massive earthquake, the top of the cave collapsed down into the waters beneath it. Nowadays, the sun passes through this perfectly rounded hole everyday between certain hours and the result is magical. Sparkling blue turquoise waters, so clear you can see the bottom. An entrance fee is required to see the caves, but this also includes a tour on these cute little row boats around the Melissani Cave Lake.
You can read more about how to get here and the prices on my more detailed Blog Article here: Kefalonia Travel Guide
A potential Game of Thrones location is the village of Assos. With the impressive Venetian Castle Ruins high up on the islet hill, the view looking down is certainly a sight to behold. The most beautiful sunset spot can be found atop the castle walls. The quaint little village of Assos is calm and perfect for an afternoon Freddo Cappuccino, perhaps even a swim in the turquoise blue bay. You will also find the stunning blue waters of Myrtos Beach nearby with sea caves and perfect rock jumping spots.
One of the best panoramic views of the island is up at Mt Ainos. It is here that you can truly appreciate the vast and varied landscapes of the islands. The east coast tends to be flatter with sandy beaches, while the west coast is more rugged with cliffs and rocky beaches. It is without a doubt that you will come across many friendly goats roaming freely around the hilly landscapes - something you don’t get every day.
You can find all my tips and favourite places in my article here:
Kefalonia - Travel Guide
ITHACA // Ιθάκη
Home to the great Odysseus of Greek Mythology, written by Homer, this island is steep with history and enchantment. Words cannot quite describe the energy and serenity given off by this island. It must be felt and experienced, soaking up the magic of the rocks lying beneath you as the sun warms your core. Everything about Ithaca is therapeutic and you come away feeling so relaxed, that time itself becomes a foreign concept.
Although Ithaca has a much smaller population compared to Kefalonia, the kindness and generosity of the people on this island is infectious. If you stay longer than a week, it’s most likely many of the locals will know who you are already. The best time to visit Ithaca is between late May and September, where the weather and water temperature is at it’s best. Despite being peak season, Ithaca does not get overly crowded. In fact, it’s the perfect amount of buzz and bustle in the capital of Vathy.
You don’t have to venture far to find beautiful serene beaches. Just a few kilometres away from Vathy are two very stunning locations: Filiatro and Sarakiniko Beach. If you feel like a little hike or a kayak adventure to an even more secluded spot, then Gidaki Beach is the perfect ‘off the beaten track’ location. You can do guided kayak tours with Odyssey Outdoor Activities to Gidaki beach or alternatively, rent out the kayaks yourself and explore the island’s unique geological structures.
Since the majority of beaches are unaccessible by vehicle, the best way to explore the hidden gems of the island is by boat. You can either rent a boat yourself or hire a skipper for the day. There is nothing quite like feeling the wind in your hair, the ocean spray on your skin and the excitement of discovering secret coves and dreamy beaches.
You can find all my tips and favourite places on Ithaca here:
Ithaca - Travel Guide
Ultimately, it is the people that make this place feel so warm and inviting. The locals are so kind and many people will be interested to know a little more about you. These dreamy Greek islands feel like home in no time and you find yourself wishing to stay longer, perhaps even indefinitely? The island’s long sunny days, with magnificent mountains down to shimmering turquoise waters and its friendly locals make Kefalonia and Ithaca two of the most welcoming and underrated places to visit in Greece.
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This article was written in conjunction with a new book project, however, since the book will not be published in English, I thought it would be nice to share my written parts and photographs here :)
Have you been to the Ionian Islands before? Where did you go and what did you like most? If you’re planning a trip to Greece and have some questions, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below or message me @emilypeilan :)
